Lambretta Li 150: Gotta get you into my life!

This is a discussion on Lambretta Li 150: Gotta get you into my life! within Post-War, part of the Vintage Cars & Classics in India category; Friends , today I became the proud owner of an old Lambretta Li 150. It had always been my desire ...

Friends , today I became the proud owner of an old Lambretta Li 150. It had always been my desire to buy a good example and I was discreetly always on a hunt. In fact, it was with a Lambretta that I started to drive two wheelers. The prices are going up. Very soon, I can predict it crossing the six figure barrier. The D 150 and the LD 150 prices are already in these stratospheric levels.

It was when we had gone to the Nawegaon Dam, for a pre- Nagpur-Goa- Nagpur trial run (more than 45 days ago) with our old cars ( to attend the Goa Vintage Rally on 1/10/2016) that a friend confided about the presence of a Lambretta securely parked in his property. It so happened that a young friend of his had parked it there and had told my friend to look for a buyer. The scooter was restored to this beautiful physical and mechanical condition by the young owner, with a view to keep it for a longer time. But due to some unforeseen reasons, he decided to sell it. I had not much cared about what my friend had said while on the Nawegaon trip but told him that I will take a look at the scooter. More than three weeks passed and I decided to visit him to have a look. It was love at first sight.

The deal was soon finalised. The beauty came home today and since our home is so used to Lambrettas ( Dad had three, the last one was sold in 1991) it was a sort of homecoming for the brand. So home folks were quite enthused as this one made an entry after 25 years.

The scooter is in fine fettle. As I was used to the other more modern two wheelers, the first few kms on this beauty made me remember my Dad's lessons from the pillion seat, while on my first drives. It has four gears and the first gear can be engaged while on the move. But one dare not switch off the engine at a signal. Its because the kick starter needs one to get down to re-start the engine. We are used to the self starter and switch off the engine machines. And the right foot has to be kept above the foot brake always for emergent situations, that creates a minor fatigue on the ankle, especially for long distance drives.

More pictures later :

The scooter at a temple gate with the grandchild of the Priestess on board

Friends , today I became the proud owner of an old Lambretta Li 150. It had always been my desire to buy a good example and I was discreetly always on a hunt. In fact, it was with a Lambretta that I started to drive two wheelers. The prices are going up. Very soon, I can predict it crossing the six figure barrier. The D 150 and the LD 150 prices are already in these stratospheric levels.

Neat Lambretta sir. The ring on the seat for the pillion rider to hold and a chrome headlight ring are to be added to the vehicle to make it complete.

Last edited by GTO : 7th November 2016 at 11:31.
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Friends , today I became the proud owner of an old Lambretta Li 150. It had always been my desire to buy a good example and I was discreetly always on a hunt. In fact, it was with a Lambretta that I started to drive two wheelers. The prices are going up. Very soon, I can predict it crossing the six figure barrier. The D 150 and the LD 150 prices are already in these stratospheric levels.

Many congratulations! Its usually meant to be - when people fall in love at first sight. Not that you wont have tough times later on, but knowing you loved it can help you tide over troubled times. Its great that you have family support on this decision, and that this is not your first Lambretta, so it is in good hands after all.

Neat Lambretta sir. The ring on the seat for the pillion rider to hold and a chrome headlight ring are to be added to the vehicle to make it complete.

Thanks Arun. An apt discovery by you. That's already on my shopping list. It helps hold the scooter in position while kick starting other than provising support to the pillion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by autocrat

Let me be the first to congratulate you Anjanji

Wish you pleasant scootering!

Thanks autocrat, true, I am enjoying my rides .

Quote:

Originally Posted by veldeep

Dr. will surely attend next year Goa rally on his new beauty. Once again congrats.

Thanks Deepakji for your wishes, let's hope so ! The restoration job was quite thoroughly done by the previous owner.

Quote:

Originally Posted by adidac369

Many congratulations! Its usually meant to be - when people fall in love at first sight. Not that you wont have tough times later on, but knowing you loved it can help you tide over troubled times. Its great that you have family support on this decision, and that this is not your first Lambretta, so it is in good hands after all.

Thanks adidac for your wishes. Yes, Lambretta its a familiar brand for the household.

Congratulations on the new acquisition Anjan sir, wishing you a very happy ownership with the new beauty
Brings back memories from my childhood - my dad and uncle had Lambrettas at home and I loved being taken around the city in those scooters. Coincidentally, both my uncle and dad let go of their Lambrettas as they grew older, in favour of easier to ride scooters like the Kinetic Honda that was the rage in the early 90s. My dad was a bit adventurous though as he first changed to a Lamby scooter and then got the LML Vespa Select before settling down with the Kinetic Honda.

Congratulations on the new acquisition Anjan sir, wishing you a very happy ownership with the new beauty
Brings back memories from my childhood - my dad and uncle had Lambrettas at home and I loved being taken around the city in those scooters. Coincidentally, both my uncle and dad let go of their Lambrettas as they grew older, in favour of easier to ride scooters like the Kinetic Honda that was the rage in the early 90s. My dad was a bit adventurous though as he first changed to a Lamby scooter and then got the LML Vespa Select before settling down with the Kinetic Honda.

Thanks NPV for your wishes. Nice to know about your association with Lambrettas.

Today, I did some DIY work with the Lambretta. As it has been restored lately, a lot of spares have been changed over. Though TOUCHWOOD, the basic scooter and its mechanicals are largely company fitted, there are some irritants, though. The Delhi made spares that have been replaced are of poor quality. I have seen some websites of Lambretta spare suppliers from Delhi. They ask visitors to CONTACT US. And one website says they only export. No sales in India. I am sure this has become a very lucrative business to supply Lambretta and Vijai (all its variants) spares to the several thousands of scooters that have been exported out of India, since the past seven to eight years. Wonder about the quality of spares these fellows may be exporting, seeing some Delhi made spares fitted on my scooter.

Back to my scooter, the rubber hose connecting the air filter to the carb is weathered. Very poor quality rubber. The petrol and choke controls are of metal ( good quality). API started making plastic ones in the early 1970's.

Meanwhile, a few more pictures.

Above : This is what was called handgrip cover (rubber) and is a period accessory, fitted over the plastic handgrip. It has turned hard over a period of time (must be at least two decades old). Am thinking as to whether this should be replaced ( views invited) , or else this can be kept aside for events, and new ones fitted for regular use.

Lambretta/ Vijai lovers please also check out this thread if you have not gone through its contents:

Another picture of my scooter from the 26/01/2013, Republic Day Rally and Display, by the Cent Ind Vintage Automotive Association (CIVAA) at Nagpur. Mr Dhanush Doongaji, the previous owner is seen riding: